Yesterday, I went with our second son to his field trip at a nearby nature center.

The kids were assigned to find various critters in the forest, like spiders, bugs, etc. I was very leary of helping because I have a handicap when it comes to creepy crawlies, but I dug around to be a good sport. I ended up finding a salamander.

The whole time we were digging around, I kept thinking of ways to really clown it up. Jumping and startling at small things, seeing a bug and running around in circles, pretending to hold onto my hat, various things.

I think Doc's influence is rubbing off. If I'd been in costume, I would've had a ball with that situation.

You brave girl, snake and creepy crawlers, don't get me to much, but if it's got 8 legs, keep it away from me.

LOL! At least I'm not as bad as my mom. She won't even squish the tiny, little spiders you find around the house. No kidding, she used to call me down from my homework to kill one.

Thinking like a clown gets easier, like most things,
as you practice.

I have to be careful because I almost ALWAYS think
like a clown...

As to bugs and creepy-crawlers, I understand the fears
that a lot of folks have.

I've always been a reptile guy, but insects and spiders
have had their place also.

I was glad to see my daughter become a veterinary tech -
she handles animals very well.

And my wife is the one who they call at work when there is
a cricket, spider or other bug in the building. She scoops
them up into a paper cup and then takes them outside
and releases them.

Bravo!

Ashes

I'll hold most things EXCEPT SPIDERS,

speaking of animals though, I think watching them and mimicing them is clown worthy, who hasn't asked like a monkey? And every clown needs to know the elephant walk. crab walk etc. Good party game, The lion tamer is a good skit, [po lion of course], flea circus etc.

If someone were to put a spider on me, I'd have no trouble entertaining the kids because it would be a riot just watching me squirm, squeal, twist, turn, and jump around trying to get the dadburn thing off of me.

Unless it was a tarantula. I would probably just pass right out! (klunk!) Out cold!

About the only thing I'll kill on site is a roach.

Everything else gets put outside, or left alone.

And I'm the guy my family calls when there's a
snake or spider or whatever around and they can't
deal with it.

Ashes